Viewpoint: Rebuilding relationships after the EU Referendum

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In this poignant moment, the words, 'Be at peace with one another' (Mk 9:50) spur us on to work for unity across the different divides. This 'Word of Life' for June tells us that 'It is a peace we are called to experience in our daily lives: in our families, at work, with those who have other ideas politically ....'.

Who could have imagined how a country could be thrown into turmoil virtually overnight. For many people waking up and hearing the news the morning after the EU referendum, it seemed like they were still dreaming. For about half of those, that dream was a nightmare.

Days of uncertainty have followed, and recriminations continue to fly in politics, work places, the media and in family homes. Voting statistics seem to show a nation divided against itself by region, age, education, and income. It seems too, that there has been a significant rise in racist and xenophobic incidents. According to True Vision, a police-funded reporting website, there were 85 reports of hate crimes between Thursday and Sunday, compared with 54 reports over the same period four weeks ago.

Amongst those holding ethically considered opinions who voted to leave the EU, many feel tainted by association with those speaking the language of hatred and selfishness. We cannot ignore the fact that millions of citizens of this country feel that they have no voice and their economic situation promises little hope for the future. So how do we respond? There is no official 'Focolare line' on the EU debate politically, but June's Word of Life 'Be at Peace', can be a starting point, encouraging us to 'knit together ...relationships of listening, of love'. We have the immense gift of the charism of unity, which we must bring wherever we are. Statistics may categorise us - the old, the rich, the elite, the poor - but unity is not made of an abstract dialogue. It is first of all 'a meeting with people, with brothers and sisters to love', to quote Focolare president Maria Voce.

We are privileged to have heard experiences of heroic reconciliation by those living the Gospel around the world in situations of conflict. Now in Britain we face the challenge of listening to and building peace with those we disagree with. We choose not to turn away from suffering, but to look for ways that we can rebuild our society together with others. Our way ahead is not clear, but we are always certain to have a neighbour to love.

Although we have heard a lot of hateful words in these days, it has also now become acceptable to talk about love in the context of politics, particularly as the legacy of Jo Cox.

We are each asked to decide whether we live for ourselves or for others. Answering that question honestly could bring about the shift in mentality that could start to rebuild (on rock and not sand) what the referendum brought crashing down.

For more information on Focolare see: www.focolare.org/gb